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Strange spacecraft lands on Earth carrying humanoid robot

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An unmanned spacecraft recently landed on Earth carrying a humanoid robot. But, perhaps disappointingly for UFO buffs, neither is alien in origin.

The spacecraft is the Soyuz MS-14 space capsule, which made a “first of its kind test flight” to the International Space Station.

The vehicle is Russian, and so is its passenger, a humanoid robot called Skybot F-850, also known as “Fedor”, apparently (main picture). [Read more…] about Strange spacecraft lands on Earth carrying humanoid robot

International Space Station creating new biological life forms

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The International Space Station is creating new biological life forms using “cutting-edge 3D biomanufacturing”.

3D printing – also known as additive manufacturing – is a well-known method of making things here on Earth, and on the ISS, but this method uses materials such as plastics and metals.

However, 3D biomanufacturing uses biological materials such as new tissue or blood vessels. (See video below.) [Read more…] about International Space Station creating new biological life forms

Chinese media clamour suggests restrictions on rare earth metals exports to US

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Chinese media outlets are raising the possibility of restrictions on the export of rare earth metals to the US. 

The move could be the most effective response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to increase and broaden import tariffs on Chinese goods into the country.

According to the South China Morning Post, the ruling Communist Party’s propaganda outlet, People’s Daily, said in a commentary: “The Chinese people would never agree to the US using products made from rare earths exported from China to curb and suppress China’s development.” [Read more…] about Chinese media clamour suggests restrictions on rare earth metals exports to US

Second SpaceDataHighway satellite to launch in July

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The EDRS-C satellite, the second node of the SpaceDataHighway network (also known as EDRS), will be launched into geostationary orbit at 31° East on 24 July 2019 by an Ariane 5 launcher.

Once positioned above Europe, it will provide redundant back-up for the SpaceDataHighway system, double transmission capacity and be able to relay the data from two observation satellites simultaneously.

This second satellite will be joining EDRS-A which transmits the images of Earth acquired by the Copernicus programme’s four Sentinel observation satellites on a daily basis.

[Read more…] about Second SpaceDataHighway satellite to launch in July

Competition to mine outer space could change mining industry on Earth

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For the past eight years, Nasa has been running a competition to find the team that can develop the best robotic systems to mine the moon. 

This year’s winners were announced recently, and Nasa gave out prizes and commendations for about 10 teams.

The discoveries made those 10 teams and all the others that entered the competition may end up in the mining industry here on Earth, long before they even take off for the moon.  [Read more…] about Competition to mine outer space could change mining industry on Earth

Startup robots choose to go to the moon and mine it for minerals to sell to humans back on Earth

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A private group of startup robots is planning to go to the moon and mine it for water and minerals to sell to humans back on Earth, according to a report on TheVerge.com. 

The commercial company backing the alien space robots, Moon Express, says it’s long dreamed of seeing robots dig holes in the moon’s surface and bring up priceless treasures they can sell for a lot of money.

Moon Express is currently based at Cape Canaveral, in Florida, and occupies Launch Complexes 17 and 18 – so it’s literally within walking distance of the moon, sort of.  [Read more…] about Startup robots choose to go to the moon and mine it for minerals to sell to humans back on Earth

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing? What’s the difference?

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“Additive manufacturing” is increasingly used interchangeably with “3D printing”, so they essentially mean the same thing. The only difference seems to be that “3D printing” is used more by maker communities – hobbyists and inventors – and still retains some sort of novelty value, whereas “additive manufacturing” – despite being the newer term – is more likely to be preferred in industry circles, perhaps because it has the sound of an established technology. 

But it’s not really an “established” technology in the sense that it’s only been around for a relatively short time.

According to 3DPrintingIndustry.com, it was only in 2007 that a 3D printer was available for less than $10,000 – from a company called 3D Systems, which is today one of the most well-known providers of the technology.

The most advanced 3D printers still cost quite a lot of money, especially those used by high-end manufacturers, but there are good-quality, entry-level machines available today for as little as a few hundred dollars.  [Read more…] about Additive manufacturing or 3D printing? What’s the difference?